Over
the past number of years SHK have been inundated with queries from
Peacekeepers - service and retired - all over the world concerning the
manufacture and issue of a Foreign Service Medal.

Many
of these peacekeepers would have served on "Back to Back"
Peacekeeping / Peace Enforcing Missions with the UN, NATO, or EU and felt
that a visible sign of recognition in the form of a medal combining UN, NATO
and EU Peacekeeping Service would be appropriate.

Because
of the complexities involved I the symbolic fusion of 3 International
Peacekeeping Organisations each with their own individual mandate, modus
operandi and rules of engagement.

The
Medal and Award Board of SHK requested the advice of an International
Peacekeeping, a retired professional soldier and Instructor of Infantry who
had served in 4 different theatres of operations with 3 International
Peacekeeping Organisations SEATO - NATO and UN between the years 1969 and
1990.

His
advice on the portrayal of the self-sacrificing and bravery of the dangers
and fears, of the hardships and loneliness, endured by world peacekeepers on
the symbolism of - is
greatly appreciated by our board.

You
qualify for the medal if you - as a military or civilian - have done service of 30 days or more in a UN,
NATO or EU Military Mission Area.

If qualifying service is brought to an end
and before the end of 30 days on account of death, or evacuation from the
mission area owing to wounds or other disability then the reduced period of
service will qualify for the award.

Dark blue gilt in colour.
The large medal is 35 mm in diameter and the mini medal is 20 mm in
diameter - with a ring type suspender. On top half of medal disk,
grouped together are the symbols of the UN, NATO and EU.

Underneath these
symbols is a helmet of the type worn by our troops on peacekeeping/peace
enforcing missions.

The helmet is in
gold crowned by laurel leafs, the symbol of the honour, loyalty and bravery
of the wearer.

Reverse:

Blue gilt on which
the medals 4 mains symbols are dipceted. These
are surrounded by a circular white band which reads
- The International Volunteers Foreign Service Medal - in gold.

Top bar:

Blue
gilt on which a straight pin device is attached for wearing on chest. Legend
on Bar reads- International Volunteers Foreign Service Medal.